Connected: The Surprising Power of Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives, the latest publication of Nicolas Christakes and James Fowler, is taking over more and more bestseller list. The book is an easy read for the laymen who’s interested in social networks, though I still prefer Barabási’s Linked (2003) or Watts’ Six Degrees (2003) who offer a little more insight into networks in general.
Christakes and Fowler’s success builds on (social) network effects, somewhat in the sense of viral marketing. The book is simply gaining popularity with each one of us reading and talking about it. The latest proof of concept is Fowler’s brief appearance on ColbertNation, but watch for yourself:
References:
- Barabási, A.-L. (2003). Linked: How Everything Is Connected to Everything Else and What It Means for Business, Science, and Everyday Life. Plume, New York, NY.
- Watts, D. J. (2003). Six Degrees: The Science of a Connected Age. Norton, New York, NY.
